MPCA snicks: Boneo regains spinner, Ian Cockbain set to arrive from overseas

An award-winning spinner has joined an MPCA club, while rumours of a big-hitting batter making a comeback swirl. It’s all in the latest cricket snicks column.

What a great pick up for Boneo.

Young Frankston Peninsula spinner Josh Peet will be rolling them out for the Pandas this season.

He’s returned to his junior club after four seasons at the Heat, where he played 51 games, mainly in the thirds and fourths, and took 80 wickets (at 20), including a haul of 7-32.

He won Frankston’s bowling award (with an average of 14) in the fourths last season.

A tall offie, Peet is also said to be handy with the willow and likes to give the ball a whack.

Boneo coach and fellow tweaker Jason Albress likes his bowling.

“He turns it,” Albress said.

“Unlike me.”

STAR RECRUIT READY TO TEE OFF

Langwarrin’s Gloucestershire recruit Ian Cockbain will be easy to spot when he jets into Melbourne airport on Sunday.

He’ll be the the one with a set of golf clubs slung over his shoulder.

Cockbain apparently is a golf fanatic and is very much looking forward to playing the courses on the Mornington Peninsula this summer.

Mornington's Matt Foon in action. Picture: Sarah Matray

LOST DOGS

Some big outs at Mornington as the Bulldogs prepare for their first look at Peninsula ranks after being relegated from Provincial last season.

Former Wedgwood medallist Matt Foon is unlikely to play before Xmas after the birth of his son Henry.

Last season’s captain Kurt Nestor, who is also set to join the ranks of fatherhood, looks like missing the early games.

And spinner Matt Bates is said to be having the season off, although Bulldogs officials are hoping he’ll have a change of heart.

BULLDOGS TO BITE BACK

But Mornington will still put a strong side on the park.

Bulldogs champion Anthony Gapes has taken over as First XI skipper and is all about promoting youth.

Talented young batsman Zac Garnet has been named vice-captain. As part of his development, he will captain Mornington’s T20 side in the Jack Peacock Cup.

Other young players will be given leadership roles, too.

And if you think the Bulldogs aren’t keen to bite back, think again.

As an examplet, young paceman Cameron Moon has taken rookie Reagan Turner under his wing, the pair doing strength and fitness work together.

Lachlan Dobson is back at Carrum.

LIONS RETURN

Carrum coach Mark Cooper has been working hard to lure some talented “home growners” back to the Lions Den, and he’s succeeded.

Paceman Lachie Dobson is back.

So, too, is Liam Hulett.

The pair were Carrum juniors together.

Hulett was a promising batsman before footy took over and he was drafted by Melbourne.

Daniel Polson on the attack for Main Ridge.

POLLY RETURN?

Cooper played a nice straight bat when we tossed up a rumour about star player Daniel Polson also returning to Carrum.

A text message suggesting the hard-hitting leftie was back with the Lions had tongues wagging.

“I wish,” Cooper said.

“I haven’t seen or heard from him unless someone else knows something.”

LOOK OUT FOR SHARKS

Rosebud may have lost ace paceman Patrick Nagel to Frankston Peninsula, but the Sharks are excited about the prospects of a few youngsters.

Coach Lyle House says batsman Kieran Hanley, bowler Ash Nagel and left-arm orthodox spinner Patrick Nickeas are ready to take their games to the next level this season.

All three played in Rosebud’s flag win last season.

Rosebud has been training it its new nets at Olympic Park Reserve ahead of its step up to Peninsula division.

DEMONS APPOINTMENTS

Rye has announced its coach and captain a couple of weeks out from the start of season 2021-22.

And there were no surprises when they locked in two good men.

Brett “Gosha” Matthews is continuing as coach, while Jordan Blades will skipper the Demons for the second straight season.

Blades, who scored 399 runs last season, is one of the best bats in the Sub-District division.

Lochie Scott in action. Picture: Valeriu Campan

BAD BREAK FOR SCOTT

Rotten luck for Frankston Peninsula paceman Lochie Scott, who looks like sitting out the opening month of the season after breaking his hand in strange circumstances while batting in the nets.

He wasn’t struck by a ball but, instead, sustained the painful injury after playing a shot.

WHERE’S KENNY?

You won’t see K Cremen in Moorooduc’s team lists in the opening round.

Big Kenny insists he’s hung ‘em up.

“I’ve been saying it for the past few years,” the Ducs coach said.

“But I’m definitely not playing.”

We shall see, Kenny.